An epidemic of violence?: Changing patterns in reported rapes in Victoria

Victoria Police statistics show that, since the late 1980s, there has been a significant increase in reported rapes in that State. One interpretation of this trend is that there has been an increase in the underlying incidence of sexual violence in the community. An alternative explanation is that rape victims have become more willing to report to the police, in response to factors such as improved provision of support services to sexual assault victims, reforms to substantive and procedural law, and changes in police attitudes and procedures. In order to rest these competing interpretations data were collected and analysed on the characteristics of rapes reported to the Victoria Police in the late 1980s/early 1990s. This analysis showed that: (I) most of the additional offences reported in the early 1990s were allegations of rapes committed by family members, spouses and other intimates; and (2) an increasing number of reports related to offences which had been committed at feast one year prior to a report being made to the police. It is argued that these changing patterns are consistent with a significant increase in the reporting rate for rape. More generally, the research reported in this paper highlights the limitations of reported crime statistics as measures of the level of social violence, and points to the need for crime researchers to develop alternative methodologies for measuring and interpreting trends.

Human directed aggression in Brazilian domestic cats: owner reported prevalence, contexts and risk factors

Aggression by cats towards humans is a serious behavioural, welfare and public health problem, although owners may believe it is an inevitable part of cat ownership. There has been little scientific investigation of the risk factors associated with this problem. One hundred and seven owners in the Sao Paulo region of Brazil, took part in a survey aimed at investigating the perceived prevalence of the problem, defining the most common contexts of human directed aggression and identifying associated potential risk factors. Human directed aggression occurred in 49.5%, of cats and was most commonly associated with situations involving petting and play, followed by protection of a resource, when startled, when observing an unfamiliar animal and least commonly when unfamiliar people were present. Pedigree status, neuter status, a history of early trauma, sensitivity to being stroked, the absence of other cats in the home, relationship with other animals, level of background activity at home, access to the outside and tendency to be alone (meaning tendency to staying far from the family members) were all associated with an increased risk in one or more context. However, sex, age, age when acquired, source of pet, attachment to a specific household member, type of domestic accommodation, relationship with another cat if present and contact with other animals did not appear to increase the risk. The results suggest sensitivity to being stroked and background levels of stress in the home are the most pervasive risk factors, and future research should aim to investigate these factors further. These data are of relevance when advising owners about the risk and development of this problem. (C) 2009 ESFM and AAFP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Motor vehicle safety defect recall campaigns from January 1, 1971 to December 31, 1971; reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers.

Mode of access: Internet.

Motor vehicle safety defect recall campaigns reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers, January 1, 1972 to December 31, 1972.

Mode of access: Internet.

Motor vehicle safety defect recall campaigns reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers. January 1, 1973 to December 31, 1973.

Mode of access: Internet.

Motor vehicle safety defect recall campaigns reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers. January 1, 1974 to December 31, 1974.

Mode of access: Internet.

Motor vehicle safety defect recall campaigns reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers. January 1, 1975 to December 31, 1975.

Mode of access: Internet.

Motor vehicle safety defect recall campaigns reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers. January 1, 1976 to December 31, 1976.

Mode of access: Internet.

Safety related recall campaigns for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, including tires, reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers. January 1, 1979 to December 31, 1979.

Mode of access: Internet.

Safety related recall campaigns for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, including tires, reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers. January 1, 1980 to December 31, 1980.

Mode of access: Internet.

Safety related recall campaigns for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, including tires, reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers. Supplement - recall campaign completion status. January 1, 1980 to December 31, 1980.

Mode of access: Internet.

Safety related recall campaigns for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, including tires, reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers. January 1, 1981 to December 31, 1981.

Mode of access: Internet.

Safety related recall campaigns for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, including tires, reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers. January 1, 1983 to December 31, 1983.

Mode of access: Internet.

Safety related recall campaigns for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, including tires, reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers. January 1, 1985 to December 31, 1985.

Mode of access: Internet.